How to Get Your Brand Logo Verified in Inboxes

How to Get Your Brand Logo Verified in Inboxes

Email impersonation and phishing threats are on the rise. In fact, an FBI report states that business email compromise or BEC led to more than $2 billion worth of losses across the US. Therefore, if you are a brand seeking to enhance email security and establish visual trust among users, a verified mark certificate becomes essential.

But why do you need a verified mark certificate?

It ensures your email is verified. Obtaining the BIMI VMC logo for your organization significantly enhances user trust. The reason is the visual cue of a verified logo with a blue checkmark in Gmail.

Now the question is how to get one for your brand. This article simplifies the steps to get a BIMI-verified logo for your emails, along with its benefits.

 

What Are Verified Brand Logos and Certificates?

A verified mark certificate (VMC) is a digital certificate that proves legal ownership of the trademarked logo and allows to display in a supported email inbox, near sender’s name. It is issued by a trusted certificate authority.

A VMC authenticates your organization and its official logo for use with BIMI and assured trademark ownership. This is crucial in preventing bad actors from faking your logo.

So, how do users differentiate between a standard BIMI logo and a verified one?

A BIMI logo combined with VMC displays a blue verified checkmark in Gmail. A verified BIMI logo indicates the legal ownership of the brand. A standard BIMI logo is supported by ESPs, including Yahoo, AOL, Fastmail and Apple Mail, as well as other platforms.

A VMC backed BIMI logo is supported by all the major browsers, including those with strict validation requirements like Gmail.

Most importantly, a VMC logo accompanied by a blue checkmark in Gmail serves as a strong signal for customers, indicating that your brand is trustworthy and reliable.

 

How Do Email Authentication Protocols Work?

There are three key security protocols that should be in place to display a VMC BIMI logo.

1. Sender Policy Framework (SPF)

Displaying the BIMI logo in the inbox for verified emails first passes the SPF protocol, which indicates, “Who is allowed to send emails for your domain?” You need to create a list of approved sending servers. If an email comes from a server that is not on the list, it will fail.

2. DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)

To pass this protocol implies that there is no interference with your email, which is safe to be opened by the user. In order to have this degree of security, emails are signed digitally.

3. Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC)

DMARC binds SPF and DKIM in order to form one authentication policy. It directs mailbox providers on how to treat emails that cannot be verified by SPF or DKIM, and whether to deliver, quarantine, or reject. It also gives reporting, which enables you to track spoofing attempts.

 

How BIMI and VMC Work Together

BIMI provides the technical framework that allows email clients to display a brand’s logo next to verified messages. But to show the trusted blue checkmark in gmail, brands need a verified mark certificate. The VMC acts as proof that the logo is officially trademarked and owned by the sender, adding an extra layer of credibility.

To activate both, your domain must already meet essential authentication standards like DMARC enforcement and use a legally trademarked logo.

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Brand Logo Verified

The process of getting your brand logo verified requires you first to get DMARC compliant.

1. Ensure Proper Email Authentication

DMARC should be aligned, and SPF and DKIM should be appropriately set. DMARC is a single DNS TXT records to either p=reject or p=quarantine. This implies that the DMARC record is used to show the recipient of the email whether the email is secure.

It will tell the server to block, delete, or transfer the email to the spam section of the user. Then, when your mail works through the SPF and DKIM signature, it will not be marked by DMARC.

Ensure you have SPF and DKIM records set up for the domain. It should be provided to all the email service providers so that every server has the record of your email being verified.

Once you have the records set up, set DMARC to reporting only mode. Once you have set up records, set the DMARC to p=reject or p=quarantine.

 

2. Prepare a Trademarked Brand Logo

Now that you have the verified logo, it’s time to showcase it in your emails. The logo image must be in SVG format and comply with specific BIMI criteria. For example, the logo image should have a 1:1 aspect ratio.

Similarly, other aspects you need to cover are,

  • Make sure the logo is centered
  • Use solid background color
  • Ensure all the paths are visible in the final SVG.
  • Try to keep the logo file size smaller

 

3. Apply for a Verified Mark Certificate (VMC)

A Verified Mark Certificate proves that you legally own the trademarked logo you want to display in inboxes. This certificate is issued only after an authorized certificate authority validates your trademark.

Submit your registered trademark details, the final SVG logo, and your organization’s verification documents. Once approved, the VMC confirms that your brand meets BIMI’s highest trust standard.

 

4. Configure Your BIMI Record in DNS

After receiving the VMC, the next step is publishing your BIMI record in your DNS.

This DNS entry includes:

  • The URL pointing to your BIMI-compliant SVG logo
  • The URL pointing to your VMC file
  • The BIMI version tag

When mailbox providers check incoming emails, they’ll use this BIMI record to confirm that your domain is authenticated and associated with a verified trademarked logo.

 

5. Monitor and Maintain Verified Logo Status

Verification isn’t a one-time task.

To keep your BIMI logo active:

  • Maintain a consistent DMARC policy at p=quarantine or p=reject
  • Renew your VMC before it expires
  • Update your logo or BIMI record if your branding changes
  • Regularly check DMARC reports to ensure message authentication is healthy

Continuous monitoring ensures your verified logo stays visible and trusted across supported email providers.

 

Benefits of Displaying a Verified Logo in Emails

Here are some of the key benefits of a VMC BIMI logo for your emails.

Empowers Trust and Brand Credibility

A certificated logo serves as a security measure that identifies to the recipient that an authorized source is sending the email.

Enhances Open Rates and CTRs in emails

Inbox performance can be significantly improved for brands. An iconic logo stands out from a generic sender icon and has a better chance of a higher open rate and click-throughs.

Increases Brand Exposure in All Inboxes

Under VMC, your brand is always on the same page, with supported email providers, meaning your email always appears in inbox instead of dropping in the spam folder. It offers continuous visibility and better brand trust.

Large Impact Use Cases and Industries

Authentication-verified logos have the greatest advantages in industries where trust and reputation directly relate to user behavior, including:

  • Finance- Banks, fintech, and insurance providers.
  • E-commerce & Retail – Brands Fighting to Get in the Inbox.
  • Healthcare- The organizations that transmit sensitive or regulated information.
  • SaaS and enterprise technology- Platforms that require more security indicators.
  • Travel & hospitality- Bookings confirmations, itineraries, alerts.

 

Conclusion

Authenticated logos credit your emails, building trust and increasing interaction. To improve inbox quality, review your authentication setup and VMC requirements. A VMC BIMI logo enhances security and trust. Following the steps explained in the blog helps ensure trust better brand visibility.